Visiting Norway, prompted by his Norwegian heritage, Champlin was exposed to the work of Edvard Munch. Munch’s soulful intensity would later influence Champlin’s approach to painting. Champlin has been working professionally as an artist since 1992 with his first exhibition in Memphis, TN, USA. In 1998, he predominately switched to oils as his medium of preference and marked a significant maturation of his style and content. Champlin has exhibited nationally and sold his artworks internationally and his painting has been featured on the cover of the Journal of American Veterinary Medicine. He currently lives and works in the highlands of Maine.

Artist's Statement:

Champlin prefers portraiture and emotional scenes of the human bond and of the human condition. It is this energy and emotion that binds the subject with the canvas and forms the symphonic nature of his work. It is the merging of the moment onto the canvas. A symphysis of subject and form. Champlin boldly uses colour and line to express his artistic vision. The colour is weaved together to form a tapestry. Bold lines give a feeling of motion and energy. His works are the passion and energy of life and the fluidity of which life entails.

Painting is the symphysis between artist and subject - the subject and the artist transcends a part of themselves to the painting creating a perfect union. It is a butterfly and the flower, the butterfly paints the flower flowing on the wind to the next to create new life - the miracle of pollenation.

Painting is a way of thought. There are no words really to describe the process as thoughts are emotions and hues and shapes. It is calculated chaos resulting in harmony. Painting is to capture the spirit as if one could take a breath of wind, hold it and give it to another. Painting is the spirit of man transcended onto canvas.

Art will always be interesting as we are innately intrigued about the plight of the human condition and of the plight of ourselves. It is a map of our journey - our past and our future. This is my inspiration.